HAMPSHIRE Association for the Care of the Blind is to move into modern headquarters in Eastleigh.

It will be operating from two floors at Horizon House - a key town centre location.

Close to the railway and bus stations, it means the association's services and resources will be more accessible to blind and partially-sighted people.

The association's relocation hopes were boosted after councillors gave outline planning permission for a block of five flats to be built on its current site in Church Road, Bishopstoke.

Welcoming the borough council's decision, Simon Theobalds, head of fund-raising and communications, said: "This is a major leap forward."

The association has a membership of about 4,200 but it believes there are many more people who need its help.

The association moved into its current Bishopstoke headquarters in the early 1990s but has wanted a more high profile position.

The association, which has a staff of about 12, has also outgrown its Church Road base.

Mr Theobalds said: "We gave a lot of thought to geography and decided that Eastleigh town was the best location because it is right in the centre of Hampshire."

It is hoping to move into the new offices in April and Mr Theobalds said that with rail and bus facilities nearby it would be within easier reach for many more blind and partially-sighted people.

The move means that the association will be able to expand its computer training facilities which it claims have opened a wide variety of new opportunities for people with sight problems.

There will also be more room for its resource centre which provides everything from braille playing cards to specially adapted kitchen equipment.